DARLINGTON, S.C.: Kyle Larson’s bid to win his first career NASCAR Cup Series race at the famed Darlington (S.C.) Raceway will have to wait after exiting Sunday afternoon’s Goodyear 400 early at Lap 112 of 293.
Larson qualified his No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE second on Saturday morning and led twice for 30 laps early in the 12th race of the season, but as quick as it appeared that Larson could score his second win of the season, the team’s day went the opposite direction just as fast.
While battling Kyle Busch for second, Larson spun after getting loose in Turn 4 on Lap 55 bringing out the race’s third caution. Larson did not suffer any damage in the spin but lost all his track position.
Restarting outside the top-30 on the restart, Larson was able to climb back inside the top-15 at the end of Stage 1.
Early into Stage 2, the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team was able to put Larson back in the top-10 but as the stage marched forward, Larson informed crew chief Cliff Daniels that he believed he was “blowing up” near Lap 110.
Two laps later, Larson was in the garage and out of the race with terminal engine failure.
Larson will finish 36th – last in the field and his worst finishing position of the 2022 season. It was also the fourth race of 2022 where the reigning Cup Series champion would finish 30th or worse.
In the garage, Larson said he thought the engine failure might have been related to him “rolling back” the engine in the Lap 55 spin – but was informed by him team that was likely not the case.
Still, Larson was disappointed to suffer his fourth DNF (did not finish) of the season, especially after the speed his race car showcased earlier in the race.
“With these cars, you don’t want to lock the tires up because you’ll get a flat and it really tears your car up,” said Larson. “I definitely rolled backwards some. That was my concern with why we blew up, but they said that probably didn’t have anything to do with it.
“Bummer. Our No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet was super good today, so that’s promising. I feel like maybe we hit on something here this weekend. I hate that we’re not going to get the finish that we deserve, but I’m proud of my team for the car they brought today.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
